Archive for Facelift

My friend, Edy decided to rearrange her dining space converting her former dining table to an outdoor patio table. You may remember Edy, from her art card series or maybe you have seen her paintings in person.

Earlier this summer, we came up with the idea to tile and grout it’s surface to make it more resilient to entertaining and also hide some signs of wear and tear.

We decided to tackle one last creative project before the summer was over. Here is a peak at how the table looked before grouting.

While we had some tiles of our own, the best part was hunting for new pieces at Venice Discount Tile Center…rummaging through a plethora of cracked tiles and motley shaped tiles.

We had a colorful collection to work with rooted in sea-greens and bright pops of yellows and orange, when we began the project.

After arranging the tiles, we began to glue them down with ceramic adhesive.

Some might say it looked like a colorful board game once the tiles we arranged.

After letting the glue set-up for an hour or so…we began the grouting process. Mixing the grout we went for a smooth consistency that could be poured around and between the tiles. As the mixture dried out…we used wet sponges to sculpt the surface.

You can see a final picture of this table poolside with it’s painted legs on Edy’s Flickr site.

All the amazing photos taken by Edy and Danny Levin.

That’s all for the tile table adventure:) I hope you all have a great weekend!

When I found this French Bergere armchair with caning in great condition, I was inspired to reinvent it as a modern piece. Bergere chairs first appeared during the French Regency and this one was likely created during the American Empire Revival Period. I refinished the wood by sanding, priming, and then layering a coat of glossy black enamel lacquer. One panel of the caning had to be completely replaced.

With the help of a talented upholsterer, this French arm chair has come to life in a celery green cotton linen that is super soft and comfy. This item is in my shop now.
While, I’m getting ready to experience France and Italy firsthand, I will make sure not to leave you hanging while I’m away. Look forward to pictures of Spa styling that I just completed as well as photos from a lighting spree to inspire you.

Can you believe that my neighbors were getting rid of these charming little french country style iron seats? I came across these seats on a jog, and needless to say I quickly jogged all the way home to find my wallet before someone else got these! In the beginning, they looked less than appealing in a kitschy vintage fabric that was not meant for outdoors.

After a few weeks in my studio. First I recovered them, I found vinyl underneath the old fabric, which I kept because the vinyl provides a nice moisture barrier. The next step was to buy the perfect fabric that is made for the outdoors, but can be used indoors. I felt this fabric ny Sunbrella had a complimentary print for a round seat. I also liked the contemporary, yet abstract quality of the pattern. the fabric is very sturdy and will not fade in sunlight, which was important to me. The chair back is done in a light Belgian linen that will weather well.

We are also getting in the mood to spend more time outside this summer. The weather in Los Angeles has been so mild and pretty.

I wanted to leave you with a little inspirational photography to get you going this week!

I think many of you will appreciate the classic simplicity of this dining table Before and After. The table is possibly antique or soon to be antique according to the owner who has had it in the family for 3 generations. The table showed the imperfections of age and need ed to be refinished. In many places you could see the polyurethane finish needed restoration.

After plenty of stripping and sanding, I conditioned the wood using a wood conditioner. I also did a little research on the table and it the only distinguishing feature that I noticed were the table slides (the table has 3 leafs and extends over 10 feet, making a magnificent dining piece!). The slides were manufactured by the Jefferson Woodworking Company, a company started in Louisville, KY around since 1920. Also, serendipitous that it was perhaps built in my hometown and found it’s way to me out here in Los Angeles.

The trumpet legs and fluting give the table a neoclassical air.

Here she isin all of here splendor as we prepare to move her into my client’s dining room. I can’t wait to style her. I know she would look fabulously Neoclassical French with all the right high back dining chairs, candlesticks and art.

If anyone has any insights about the period this piece was made, please leave a comment or email. I would love to hear from you!

This is new in my shop today! I bought an all wood t.v. table from the 1950’s and decided to paint it in 2 of my favorite colors white and gray. I used my much practiced chevron motif.

This table is a substantial size. When I saw it I immediately thought it could be a roomy nightstand for someone who wants an asymmetrical bedroom design, an entryway table, or a statement t.v. stand. I decided to refinish the original hardware and line the large open shelf with grass cloth. Grass cloth is easy to dust off and feels more luxurious than paper or shelf liners.

For more info on this piece including measurements visit my shop.

Can you believe it’s mid-week!? I’m preparing some Postcards for this Fine Art Friday.

Summer is off to a productive start! After being the day of coordinator and stylist for fabulous Bat Mitzvah at the Four Seasons hotel….this became my next big design project! I had worked with Marca, my client and neighbor on the fish tables🙂 in 2009 and this project had been in the works for a little while.

Marca has a gorgeous place and she wanted to get the look of Namibian blue granite around her fireplace and to create a focal point in the room. To achieve this finish I had to work in layers. Here is the mantle after one coat of silver metallic base and sponging the deepest blue shade.

Next, I added the midtone paint, which was grey. Then, I dabbed in the highlights in white. While the layers dried, I worked on a faux metallic finish on the ornate white carved pieces across her mantle.

On Day 2, I took all the sponging a little further and it was dramatic!

After that layer dried. I came back and balanced out the colors to achieve and even and beliveable finish like the one below.

Here is a glimpse of the final project! The faux metal pieces were softened with a gray-green glaze. I was pleased because everything turned out just as we had pictured it. In a few weeks, we will snap pictures with her mantle and the cool painting that hangs above it, so that you can see how the cool hues of blue granite really balance the warm yellow walls of her living room.